Previewing Friday night's high school football playoff games

Olympia at Dr. Phillips and Lake Brantley at Winter Park are two key matchups to watch.

November 18, 2010

Class 6A

MAINLAND AT ORANGE PARK

Records: M 5-5, OP 6-4

The Buzz: Orange Park won five of its last six games. QB Shelton Willis and Mainland's offense must perform better after scoring 13 total points in two consecutive losses to finish the regular season.

JACKSONVILLE SANDALWOOD AT DeLAND

Records: S 6-4, D 8-2

The Buzz: Facing a tough Saints defensive line, DeLand QB Earl Martinez may need to throw the ball some this week. The Bulldogs' defense should limit Sandalwood, which enters the playoffs on a four-game winning streak.

TIMBER CREEK AT SEMINOLE

Records: TC 4-6, S 8-2

The Buzz: The Seminoles enter the playoffs without suspended head coach Mike Cullison, who led the team to a state title in 2008. QB TJ Thompson has had a breakout season for Seminole while Timber Creek RB Kyle Snead has played well down the stretch. Seminole edged Timber Creek in overtime last season.

LAKE BRANTLEY AT WINTER PARK

Records: LB 7-2, WP 10-0

The Buzz: Winter Park rarely has been tested this season, but Lake Brantley should present a challenge. DE James Washington and the Wildcats' defensive front must contend with the Patriots' strong ground game, led by Ti'on Green and Connor McGrath.

OAK RIDGE AT APOPKA

Records: OR 7-3, A 9-1

The Buzz: Apopka's secondary has been vulnerable, and if Oak Ridge can have success through the air, lanes will open for RB Mario Bargaineer. Pioneers QB Andre Scott will need a big game to lead his team past RB Tom Smith and the playoff-tested Blue Darters.

OLYMPIA AT DR. PHILLIPS

Records: O 7-3, DP 10-0

The Buzz: Dr. Phillips beat Olympia 49-0 in Week 3. For the Titans to have a chance, they must stiffen on defense; easier said than done. RB Demetrius Hart and the DP offense are on a record-breaking pace.

Class 5A

OSCEOLA AT OVIEDO

Records: OSC 5-5, OV 8-2

The Buzz: DB John Boston and Oviedo seek to avenge an opening-round loss to Osceola in '09 and advance to the second round for the first time in seven years. The Kowboys have topped the Lions in three straight meetings.

HAGERTY AT LAKELAND

Records: H 7-3, L 10-0

The Buzz: Hagerty QB Jeff Driskel helped lead the Huskies to the playoffs for the first time in school history. Their reward is a road trip to one of the Southeast's most intimidating stadiums, against one of the state's toughest teams.

Class 4A

LAKELAND KATHLEEN AT EDGEWATER

Records: K 6-4, E 7-3

The Buzz: Edgewater advanced to the state semifinals last season, and a repeat performance is achievable. The Eagles suffered numerous injuries to start the season but are near full strength for the opening round. Katheen has talent but has been inconsistent.

EAST RIVER AT LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON

Records: ER 8-1, LG 7-3

The Buzz: A young East River program finds itself in the playoffs, thanks to solid execution and a ball-control offense. The Falcons hope their philosophy can translate into postseason success against a seasoned Polk County squad.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH AT FORT PIERCE CENTRAL

Records: NSB 6-4, FPC 8-1

The Buzz: The Barracudas started slow but beat DeLand on their way to winning four of five games to conclude the season. NSB's offense will be challenged by a stingy Fort Pierce Central defense.

Class 2A

TITUSVILLE ASTRONAUT AT BISHOP MOORE

Records: A 7-3, BM 8-2

The Buzz: Bishop Moore should be much more competitive than it was in last year's 44-14 first-round loss to the War Eagles. The Hornets topped Jones and Lake Highland to conclude the season.

JONES AT COCOA

Records: J 9-1, C 10-0

The Buzz: A Week 10 loss to Bishop Moore sends Jones on the road to face two-time defending state champion Cocoa. Jones must slow Rutgers commit RB Chevelle Buie, the leader of a Cocoa ground attack that averages nearly 300 yards per game.

Class 2B

MOUNT DORA AT JACKSONVILLE BOLLES

Records: MD 7-3, B 10-0

The Buzz: Bolles came to Orlando last week and dismantled Olympia, one of Central Florida's top 6A teams. The 'Canes will lean heavily on athlete Vegas Harley, a dual-threat quarterback who has racked up nearly 3,000 offensive yards.

FORT MYERS DUNBAR AT LAKE HIGHLAND PREP

Records: D 4-6, LHP 8-2

The Buzz: Lake Highland claimed a district title despite losing two key players to injury, QB Cody Manzella and ATH Mike Dorcely. BJ Simpson and Joel Berry have filled in nicely on offense.

Class 1A

FIRST ACADEMY AT JACKSONVILLE TRINITY CHRISTIAN

Records: TFA 9-1, TC 8-2

The Buzz: The Royals have rebounded nicely after a 2-8 mark last season. QB Albert Rose and RBs Ira Hall and Albert Settles lead a balanced offense. Trinity Christian, the state's top-ranked team, is led by ATH Andrew Buie (1,712 total yards).

THE VILLAGES AT FORT MEADE

Records: V 9-1, FM 9-1

The Buzz: The Villages will lean on its ground game, led by RB Aaron Couture (1,214 yards). Fort Meade was the top-ranked team in 1A before losing a shocker to Frostproof last week.

Class 1B

ORANGEWOOD CHRISTIAN AT WARNER CHRISTIAN

Records: OC 6-4, WC 10-0

The Buzz: Breon Allen is healthy for Warner Christian after missing two games with a knee injury. The Eagles begin their pursuit of an elusive 1B state title by facing Orangewood Christian for the third time in four years.

DELTONA TRINITY CHRISTIAN AT LAKE MARY PREP

Records: TC 9-1, LMP 7-3

The Buzz: Lake Mary Prep's Ray Lewis III has racked up 2,916 all-purpose yards. The sophomore will need a big performance for the Griffins to win in their first playoff game in school history. Trinity Christian is led by senior QB Paxton Lynch, who has accounted for 21 touchdowns.